How long has the store been in business?

Shem Creek Music has been open since 2004.

Scottie holding Dr J Green Crystal & Mooer Shimverb

How long have you worked at the store, Scottie?

Shem Creek Music was the first place I pulled into when I moved to Charleston fresh out of high school in 2008. I was the kid they couldn’t kick out of here since then, they hired me in 2010 to help out, then in 2011, began managing the store.

Why are Dr J and Mooer pedals doing so well at your store?

Osiamo offers several great pedals, but we have had the best success with Mooer and Dr. J pedals. Those pedals sell themselves. Let a customer play one and then ring them up later, it’s been that easy for us.  Great pedals.

How does the future of music stores look?

Music stores that have adapted to the changes with online sales and Guitar Center/Sam Ash/etc. have done so by pushing their service, as well as lessons and repairs. Lessons really fuel a music store. The lessons should sell the retail, and the retail should sell the lessons. That’s how we feel a successful store should run. If more stores take this model as well as competing with Guitar Center/online prices, music stores will have a very bright future.

Shem Creek Music Center’s Mooer pedal display

What is the biggest challenge for your store for this year and beyond?

Our biggest challenge is getting the greater Charleston area to come to our store and not go to a big box or online store. This is also a blessing for us, we do more repairs than anyone else in Charleston, as well as lessons. Our customers are usually our best salesmen. People come in every day with a “Bruce sent me” or “Bob told me you guys were the guys to go to.” I make damn sure that when they come in, they leave not only satisfied with their products and services that we offer, but also happier that they came in. You want customers to WANT to come back, not just need to. Our biggest challenge is catching that “average Joe” who just saw a GC commercial with a big sale, and he goes there instead of trying the local guy first. However, in Charleston, SC, there are stickers all over town with the saying “Be Local, Buy Local.” We’re very fortunate to have a town that really supports and goes the extra mile for small business like us. In return, we do the exact same for our customers.

Thanks for reading our blog. If you’re interested in learning more about our Dr J and Mooer pedals you can click over to www.OSIAMO.com and see what we have to offer; if you’re a music store and are interested in dealer opportunities send us an email at dealers@osiamo.com and we’ll get right back in touch with you. If you’re already one of our dealers we’d love to feature you in an upcoming blog too. Get in touch with us!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!